Pope chats with Scorsese, tells director he read ‘Silence’

Pope Francis has met with director Martin Scorsese, whose new film, “Silence,” about Jesuit missionaries in 17th-Century Japan, was screened this week in Rome.

The Vatican says that during the pontiff’s “very cordial” meeting Wednesday with Scorsese, Francis mentioned he had read the novel on which the film is based. Francis is a Jesuit who joined the order in Argentina with the idea of becoming a missionary in Japan. Health problems scuttled that dream.

Francis thanked Scorsese for his gift of two paintings. The work of an 18th-Century Japanese artist, the paintings served as a reference for some of the details in the film.

Some 300 Jesuits studying or working in Rome attended the screening Tuesday at the Pontifical Oriental Institute. Scorsese answered the audience’s questions afterward.

Clinton makes surprise appearance

Katy Perry was the night’s big honoree, but Hillary Clinton got the biggest ovation as the former presidential candidate presented the pop star with an award from UNICEF at Tuesday’s Snowflake Ball.

Clinton, who lost the Nov. 8 election to Donald Trump, gave Perry the Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award for her charitable efforts with the organization. Her appearance at the event was a surprise, and Clinton got a sustained standing ovation from the cheering crowd.

She described Perry as someone who has “the spirit and the energy and the compassion that Audrey Hepburn brought to her work from UNICEF.”

She added that Perry had the most Twitter followers, then jokingly added that she “might have some competition” — an apparent reference to the ever-tweeting president-elect.

Clinton also said Perry’s lyrics “remind us (that) when you get knocked down to get back up” — causing more cheers to erupt.

Perry was a big supporter of the Democrat and even campaigned for her. She broke into tears when Clinton surprised her with her appearance.

In her acceptance speech, Perry credited Clinton for helping her use her voice for more than just her hits.

“Hillary has lit that voice inside of me, and that light will never go out!” she shouted.

“It will get brighter and brighter and brighter. Thank you, Hillary. You motivate me and so many millions of people who appreciate you for your incredible work,” Perry said as the crowd gave Clinton another ovation.

Clinton has made only one other public appearance at an event since conceding the race to Trump.

Dylan skips meeting with Obama

Bob Dylan is not only skipping the ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden, awarding him the Nobel Prize in Literature, he also skipped meeting with the president Wednesday.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to meet with several American winners of the Nobel Prize before they officially accept their award. The White House plans to make a complete list of attendees available later. But spokesman Josh Earnest said that “unfortunately, for those of you wondering, Bob Dylan will not be at the White House today, so everybody can relax.”

Earnest said Dylan didn’t give a reason, but he noted that Dylan and the president had met previously, and “the president enjoyed meeting him.”

In 2012, Obama presented the singer-songwriter with a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

McConaughey pushes campus safety

Matthew McConaughey is making sure some college students at his alma mater get home all right, all right, all right.

The Oscar winner took a turn behind the wheel of a golf cart on the University of Texas campus Monday night to raise awareness about a program to ensure students don’t have to walk home alone. The student government posted a video showing students’ delighted reaction to seeing the actor pull up. McConaughey also took time out to pose for selfies.

Student body President Kevin Helgren says the stunt prompted a big reaction online, and he’s hoping it encourages more students to use the service because “you never know who’s going to pick you up.”

McConaughey is a 1993 Texas graduate and lives in Austin.

Springsteen makes a stop in Denver

Bruce Springsteen is stopping in Denver as part of a nationwide tour promoting his new autobiography “Born to Run.”

Tickets to the noon event at the Tattered Cover Book Store on Wednesday sold out fast, and the shop is warning that anyone without a ticket won’t get a chance to see the Boss.

The bookstore posted a YouTube video earlier this year urging Springsteen to visit during his book tour. The new incoming co-owner, Len Vlahos, is seen playing guitar and singing “Growin’ Up” while walking through the store.

In the book, Springsteen remembers his childhood in New Jersey, his rise to superstardom and personal struggles that inspired songs such as “Born to Run” and “Thunder Road.”

Briefly

■ “Hawaii Five-O” actor Keo Woolford has died, days after suffering a stroke. He was 49. Publicist Tracy Larrua announced Woolford’s death on social media. She said he had a severe stroke Friday and died Monday at a hospital in Hawaii. Woolford played detective James Chang in CBS’s reboot of “Hawaii Five-O.” Woolford also had small roles in several films, including 2014’s “Godzilla” and “Act of Valor” in 2012. He also wrote and directed “The Haumana,” a 2013 independent film based on his one-man show.